By Fernando Alfonso Iii
Lexington Herald-Leader
LEXINGTON , Ky. — Lexington is looking to hire six new staff members to assist 911 operators following concerns raised over the emergency response to a fire Sunday that killed 23 horses .
The search for new employees has already started this week, said Glenn Brown, Lexington deputy chief administrative officer, in a news release. The city is looking to hire two temporary full-time employees and four temporary part-timers to start, said Susan Straub, director of communications for Mayor Jim Gray.
“We are putting staff in place to ensure our professional, trained operators can focus on the emergency calls coming into the E 9-1-1 center,” Brown said.
The center handles 911 calls and non-emergency calls for the fire and police departments. This new staff will handle non-emergency calls, which account for about 53 percent of its volume, Brown said.
Lexington’s 911 center currently employs 24 call takers, 31 dispatchers, eight supervisors, and three managers, Straub said.
“The investigation into E-9-1-1 dispatch concerns surrounding the fire at Mercury Equine Center continues,” Brown said. “We must ensure our emergency services are excellent.”
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